Best Space Science Apps?

The following list is focused on iOS (iPad/iPhone) devices only because I don’t have direct experience with modern non-iOS mobile devices. For space/science app recommendations for any other platform, visit Spacevidcast.com’s mobile applications list.

Let’s start with the free stuff, shall we? These free apps actually rival some of the commercial apps I have run across.

NASA’s Lunar Electric Rover (LER) Simulator – Drive a simulated rover on the surface of the moon? Yes, “there’s an app for that!” Thanks to a NASA Tweetup at Johnson Space Center, I got to see the LER (actually now called the SEV, Space Exploration Vehicle) up close and personal. Driving it in this sim is almost as much fun!

Planets – Great interactive globes of each planet as well as information on planetary viewing.

GoSatWatch ($9.99) – an expensive, but comprehensive satellite flyby app. I held off on purchasing this one until I bought new binoculars and have started to get serious about viewing more than “just” ISS passes. Plus, it’s pretty awesome to have a “mini-Mission Control Center” real-time updating map on your phone!

Pocket Universe ($2.99) – full-featured astronomy app. Very well done, but if you can get only one, get StarWalk.

If I have omitted a truly great free or commercial iOS app, please share it in the comments! I know there’s got to be some amazing ones I haven’t tried yet. For example, SkySafari($14.99) looks really tempting!

Also, if you have another device, don’t be shy — some of us won’t be on iPhones forever, after all. ;-)

Great article. It’s been a while but there is an amazing space flight simulator coming out to iOS later this year with a full solar system and functional cockpits. Check it out at http://www.space-simulator.com! Enjoy.